Men's Soccer | 8/9/2019 4:04:00 PM

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.--Barry University men's soccer coach Steve McCrath welcomes a host of new players to the team for 2019.

In addition to the two January transfers, the Bucs have eight new players this fall, including seven freshmen.

"The 2019 class has a lot of similarities to the 2018 class," McCrath said. "We believe we have recruited very good talent and, in addition, very good people. We were overjoyed at how the 2018 class settled in and made such impact and we can't wait to see the 2019 group be as much as, if not more, committed to moving this program continually forward."

Marlon Buck is a 6-2 sophomore transfer forward from Concordia-NY, originally from Vienna, Austria.

"Buck is a steady player with vision and fluid movement in creating the attack or striking toward the goal," McCrath said.

Buck led the Clippers to a 6-8-2 mark last season. He scored a team-high 14 goals while adding a pair of assists for 30 total points which sits fifth in the league and 28th in Division II. He was responsible for five of the team's six game-winning goals, and logged five-multi goal outings this season including his first collegiate hat trick on Oct. 6 in a 3-2 overtime victory over Holy Family. He was named the Rookie of the Year in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and a First-Team All-CACC forward.

"I chose BarryU because it is exactly the right place for me to continue playing soccer on a very high level," Buck said, "and get a degree at the same time in one of the best cities the world."

Andrea Azzolin is a 5-7 junior defender from Varese, Italy by way of Università telematica San Raffaele.

"Azzolin is a quick and mature player who is good at defending and playing a dangerous role in attack," McCrath said.

Azzolin played for various club teams in his native Italy, including Vergiatese and Sestese Calcio last year. Starting with Varese Youth, he was loaned out to Lucchese and D. Porto Tolle before joining FC Mendrisio in 2016.

"I chose Barry because it immediately seemed to me an excellent environment where I could study and play football at the same time," Azzolin said.

Nils Buecheler is a 6-0 keeper from Cologne, Germany who attended prep school at Bradfield College in England.

"Buecheler is a technically solid goalkeeper who has trained at a good level with reading angles," McCrath said.

Bradfield varsity boys went 15-9-1 last season with five shutouts, allowing 2.1 goal per game.

"After having a great experience in the UK," Beucheler said, "it is my aim to widen my horizon and have successful experience at Barry University."

Andres Gonzalez is a 5-8 attacking player from Reagan High in Doral, Fla., where he played for coach Andres Viadales.

"Technically proficient with his shot, Gonzalez moves well into spaces to create scoring opportunities," McCrath said.

As a senior, Gonzalez was a First-Team All-Dade County player for the 13-7-2 Bison, scoring 28 goals and adding 15 assists as they advanced to the regional semifinals. As a junior, he led the Bison to an 18-4-1 record and a district championship, scoring 23 goals and adding 12 assists to earn First-Team All-Dade honors.

"I chose Barry University because I want to represent this school on the highest stage and go for the repeat," Gonzalez said.

Kasper Hedegaard is a 6-2 striker from Denmark who played for Thisted FC.

"Hedegaard is a big holding forward who can also carry the ball into the scoring area," McCrath said.

He played in three games for Thisted FC in the Danish First Division last year.

"I chose Barry University because I saw it as a great opportunity for me to develop my character, meet new people and grow as a person," Hedegaard said. "Beside that it also seemed to be a great environment for me to improve both as an athlete and as a student."

Andres Jaramillo is a 6-2 keeper from Miami's Felix Varela High where he played under coach Juan Monge.

"An athletic keeper who has good range from post to post," McCrath said "he had a solid prep career."

He led the Vipers to the Florida 5A championship game as a senior, earning All-Dade County after posting eight shutouts in a 14-4-3 season. The senior captain was named the 4A-5A Player of the Year in the county by the Miami Herald. As a junior, he was a Second-Team All-Dade pick after the Vipers went 13-2-4 to reach the region semifinals.

"I chose Barry U because I wanted a competitive and challenging soccer conference with a rigorous and accredited school of business," Jaramillo said. "Barry has both!"

Ricky Troconis is a 5-11 attacking midfielder from Cypress Bay High under coach Colin Ilgner.

"Troconis is a very solid central midfielder with great touch and range," McCrath said. "He is very steady and comfortable on the ball."

Troconis led the Lightning to the regional semifinals as a senior, earning Second-Team All-Broward County.

"(Barry) is the best soccer team in Florida with the best business school," Troconis said.

Alberto Valsecchi is 6-1 keeper from Switzerland, who played for Losone Sportiva last season in the Swiss league.

"Valsecchi is a well rounded goalkeeper," McCrath said. "His composure and positioning makes him a solid prospect."

"I choose BarryU because of their winning history and the city of Miami," Valsecchi said.